site.btaMRF Leader Peevski Urges Most Severe Penalties If Power Outages Continue

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Delyan Peevski on Friday bashed the government for power outages caused by heavy snow and strong wind in parts of Bulgaria.

"The fact that more than 200 settlements are without electricity is outrageous," Peevski said in a statement released by MRF-New Beginning. He finds it even more disturbing that the Energy Minister plans to make the responsible electricity distributors just pay compensation to customers.

Peevski called on the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) to launch an immediate check into the investments and the technical security of the electricity networks, noting that all Bulgarian citizens have paid for the right to use electricity 24/7. "If the crisis persists, the most severe penalties should be imposed, such as delicensing the companies," he said.

"If the EWRC fails to take timely action, I will ask all competent authorities to conduct a comprehensive check at the electricity distributing companies," he warned.